Hot 100 2013: Jane Gowans

The NexGem winning Harvey Nichols as a stockist and doubling turnover.

Jane Gowans has had one heck of a year. Not only has she been inaugurated into the Hot 100 but she was also a finalist at the UK Jewellery Awards and the Drapers Accessories Awards, proving her appeal to both the fine and fashion sides of the market.

Moreover, in a moment of particular resonance, she was also nominated at the Scottish Fashion Awards and is proud to be flying the flag for a new wave of Scottish designers. And curiously enough it was another Scot who has helped to raise her profile.

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Singer Emeli Sandé wore one of Jane’s Betty earrings from her debut Matchsticks collection on the front cover of her album Our Version of Events, sparking, or at least dovetailing pretty neatly with, a flurry of press coverage for the emerging designer.

It’s all happened very quickly. Jane only graduated from Dundee’s Jordanstone College of Art & Design in 2009 and her brand is yet to celebrate its third birthday. With youthful growth on its side, the brand doubled its turnover last year and will do so again this year.

Perhaps more impressive than the sheer numbers is the calibre of the stockists, which Jane notes spans jewellery, fashion and the arts. The list includes Harvey Nichols, the National Gallery, FAO Shop, La Maison Couture, The Individual, Dundee Contemporary Arts and a number of other smaller independent boutiques and galleries, all rubberstamping Jane’s place on the jewellery stage.

And she’s not short on ideas for what to do next either. “The SS14 collection will launch to buyers in September, inspired by the protective, flamboyant nature of feathers.”

She also promises a new website with greater e-commerce potential, and she will show at a London trade event. “We are also looking into the possibilities of exhibiting overseas and in developing the debut luxury collection.” So you may just bump into her on your buying travels.